New Delhi: An
estimated 70 percent polling was recorded in Punjab and 65 percent
in Uttarakhand in assembly elections in the two states, the
Election Commission said here Monday, and added that the figure
would rise as many people were waiting in queues to cast their
ballot.

The poll panel also indicated that the polling percentage in the
two states will cross the final polling percentage figures in 2007
polls.

Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla said Punjab had recorded
"70 percent polling till 5 p.m." and the final percentage was
expected to go up to at least 77 percent.

Shukla, who briefed reporters about the polling in Punjab, said
the polling percentage was 75.3 percent in 2007.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi, who briefed
reporters about polling in Uttarakhand, said the hill state had
recorded 65 percent polling till 5 p.m. The state was expected to
record about 70 percent voting, he said. Uttarakhand had recorded
63.9 percent vote in 2007 polls.

Election Commission officials said the rules permit voters who
queue up outside the booths before 5 p.m. to cast their vote and
polling hours are extended beyond the closing time. They said long
queues were witnessed at several places in the two states in the
evening.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday arrested Andhra
Pradesh Home Secretary B.P. Acharya for alleged corruption in the
Emaar-APIIC township case here.
Acharya was arrested by the CBI officials in the afternoon after
they questioned him since morning at Dilkusha guest »

In a major
embarrassment for senior Congress leader and Education Minister Peerzada Sayeed,
a local newspaper Monday carried the facsimile of an answer sheet
in two handwritings -- alleging that part of it had been written »

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